Saturday, August 28, 2010

Although Brian Witherspoon is supposed to be a return specialist, he's had two fourth-quarter interceptions for Carolina of Tennessee quarterbacks.

Witherspoon first picked off Kerry Collins, leading to a field goal. Then he intercepted the Titans' third-stringer Rusty Smith, stopping a Titans' drive and eventually leading to John Kasay's fourth field goal attempt. However, Kasay missed that one from 25 yards out, keeping the lead at 15-7.

After Witherspoon's second pickoff, Carolina then got a 50-yard gain from Gary Barnidge on a short pass from Jimmy Clausen. Barnidge, a 247-pound tight end with underrated athletic ability, broke two tackles and then lumbered down the sideline inside the Titans' 20.

Then, on third-and-2 from the Tennessee 5, Carolina's Rob Petitti got called for holding on what would have been a first-down running play. On third-and-12 from the 15, Clausen dumped it to his safety valve for a few yards.

Kasay came on to miss the field goal, giving Tennessee the ball with slightly more than two minutes left, needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie it.